US595820A - Gyroscopic controlled firing mechanism for ships guns - Google Patents

Description

6 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. OBEY.

Patented Dec. 21,1897.

(No Model.)

GYROSOOPIG CONTROLLED FIRING MEGHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. OBRY. GYROSOOPIG CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

No. 595,820. Patented Dec. 21,1897.

(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 3. L. OBRY.

GYROSGOPIC CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS" GUNS. No. 595,820. Patented Dec. 21,1891

MILK v m 1 1mm (No Model.) I 6 Sheets8heet 4.

L. OBRY. GYROSGOPIG CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

No. 595,820. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

(No Model.) 7 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 L. OBEY. GYROSGOPIG CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

Patented De0.21, 1897.

m: Noams PETERS my pnorouma, wnsmunrou. o. c

(No Modell) e SheetsSheet 6.

L. OBEY. GYROSGOPIG CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

No. 595,820. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUDWIG OBRY, OF POLA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

GYROSCOPlC-CONTROLLED FIRING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS GUNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,820, dated December 21, 1897.

Application filed September 28, 1895. Serial No. 564,044. (No model.) Patented in Austria. May 1, 1895, No. Mi/2,629; in

Hungary June 7,1895,No. 5,579; in France July 6,1895, No. 248,723; in Italy July13, 1895, LXXVII, 112,- in England July 13, 1895,1T0. 13,496, and in Germany August 13, 1895,11'0. 86,586.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUDWIG OBRY, a subject of the Austrian Emperor, and a resident of Pola, in the Empire of Austria-Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improved Means for Discharging Ships Guns, (which have been patented to me in the following foreign countries: Austria,May1,1895, tomus 45, folio 2,629; Hungary, June 7, 1895, No. 5,579; Germany, August 13, 1895, No. 86,586; France,July6,1S95,No.24=8,723; Italy, July 13, 1895, folio LXXVII, No. 112, and England, July 13, 1895, No. 13,496,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the present invention is to render the flight of projectiles discharged from ships guns independent of the rolling or lurching motion of the vessel, and this object is attained by means of a device adapted to discharge the gun at the exact moment when one or both the main axes of the ship are in a horizontal position.

According to the present invention the apparatus consists in a suspended gyroscopelike mechanism, having its axis of rotation coincident with a vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the apparatus, the motion of the gyroscope relatively to the vessel being transmitted to a switch device arranged in the electric conductors, serving to discharge the gun, in such wise as to close the circuit through the discharge-conductors at the precise moment when the axis of the gyroscope passes the position of rest relatively to one or both of the main axes of the vessel.

The invention is based on the gyroscopic principle-viz., on the principle that a rapidly-rotating body will retain its plane of rotation if independently suspended in spite of the movement of the frame in which such body may be suspended. In the apparatuses of the kind hitherto known the contact has been formed at the point when the ship was supposed to be in a horizontal position by means of a swinging pendulum, or, in other words, by gravity. A pendulum or gravitation device is, however, not sufficient to produce the desired result, because such instrument is liable to swing, and consequently in order to produce a really effective means the horizontal position of one of the contacting bodies must not only be possible but must be assured. This can only be effected bymeans of a gyroscope, owing to the property of the rapidly-rotating body to retain its plane of rotation.

One form of carrying out the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus, showing the external and internal casings in section; Fig. 2, a plan of the apparatus with the upper part of the casing removed Fig. 3, a side elevation seen from the lefthand side of Fig. 1, the external casing being removed and the internal one shown in section Fig. 4, a part side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a side elevation, seen from the right of Fig. 1, of the whole apparatus; Fig. 6, a part front elevation of the apparatus, the outer casing being partly removed. Figs. 7 and 8 show detail views of the switch device in two positions. Fig. 9 is a section of the dynamo serving to drive the gyroscope. Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrams hereinafter referred to, and Figs. 12 and 13 are two views of a slightly-modified form of carrying out the invention.

The apparatus as illustrated is arranged j within a spherical casing consisting of two parts M M advantageously screwed together and mounted on a base-plate in the manner well known in the art of making physical and mathematical instruments. A metal ring'A, Fig. 2, is mounted within this casing on two diametrically opposite pivots a a, said ring A having, further, two pivots thereon extending inwardly and arranged diametrically opposite each otheron a line cutting the line of the piv ots a a at right angles in the same plane, .on which said pivots a a is suspended, by means of its pole-plates b b, a small dynamo having its center of gravity lying below the line of suspension.

b b and above the electromagnet Bis a bridgepiece 1), serving as the upper bearing for the Extending between the pole-platesv motor-shaft b provided with a boring b for lubricating purposes and carrying the collector B in the usual manner, and at its upper end 19 the fly-wheel V. (See also Fig. 9.) The distribution of weight, as also the whole construction of the dynamo and fly-wheel, are such as to bring the center of gravity of the whole below the line of suspension 0, a and within the axis of symmetry of the dynamo, so that the armature-shaft b will under the action of gravity retain a vertical position.

A bow C is pivotally mounted within the casing M M at c c, Fig. 1, said how being suspended at points diametrically opposite each other and at right angles in the same plane to the line of suspension at a of said ring A. The bow C is provided with a slot 0 in which a pin 6 attached to the lower part of the dynamo, engages, so that any oscillation of the dynamo in a direction transverse to the line of suspension of the bow C will be communicated to the said bow, While an oscillation of the dynamo in a direction parallel to the line of suspension of the bow will have no eifect upon the latter, the pin a simply moving in the slot 0 of the how. The bowpivots c c extend through the casing M, and one of the same, 0, carries a pointer R outside the said casing, said pointer moving over a graduated arc R fixed to the exterior of the casing. In a similar manner one of the pivots a, carrying the ring A, extends outside the casing M M, Fig. 3, and has mounted on its projecting end a pointer S, moving, as may be seen at Fig. 6, on an arc S properly graduated, and also fixed to the exterior of the casing M M.

If now the apparatus hitherto described is mounted on board a vessel with the. suspension-line c 0' parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said vessel, and presuming that the armature-shaft b preserves its vertical position, then the pointerR will show the amplitude of the angle of oscillation at each roll of the ship, while the pointer S will register on its scale the angle of oscillation of the pitch of the vessel.

As previously explained, the shaft 5 will retain its vertical position on account of the distribution of weight and its Cardanic suspension, as also by the aid of the rapid rotation of the fly-wheel. The arrangement of the conductors for driving the dynamo will now be described.

The dynamo is driven from a sourceof electricity independent of the apparatus, the conductors of said source being attached to the contact-screws I and II, Figs. 2 and 5. A shaft (1 extends through a suitable sleeve in the inner casing M M and carries at its outer end a switch-lever D, having at its inner end a drum (1, of vulcanite. or other suitable nonconducting material, provided with a conducting-surface extending over about two hundred degrees of its circumference, consisting of a metal strip or the like. At two points of this drum diametrically opposite to each other contact-springs d d are arranged to bear, Figs. 1 and i, said springs being mounted on an insulated block d, attached to the lower half of the casing M M. The clamping-screws I and II, contacting with the springs (1 61 are connected up in the following manner: II is connected to the outside clamp II, Figs. 2 and 5, while from the clamp I and the outside clamp I conductors extend along the interior wall of the casing nearly as far as the pivots of the ring A and from this point in the form of easilyflexible spirals or through a boring of the trunnions of the said ring to the lower edge of the same and along this edge to the pivot a of the dynamo and either through a boring of the latter or by means of a flexible spiral to the collector-clamps in the manner well known.

From this description it will be evident that if the switch-lever D is in the position shown in Fig. 4, in which position both contact-springsd d arein communication with the conducting part 61 of the drum (1, the circuit will be closed to the motort'. e., dynamowhile in the position of the parts as shown at Fig. 5 only one of the springs 61 rests on the conducting part of the drum, and the circuit is consequently broken.

When the circuit is broken and the apparatus at rest, it is advisable to prevent the parts from unnecessary swinging in order to save wear and tear of the pivotal connections, to which end the lever D is provided with arresting-arms which. come into operation immediately the circuit has been broken. The arresting-arms f and f are rigidly attached to the inner end of the spindle d by means of the boss F. Of these two arms the one f is specially formed to bear with its surfaces f f against the correspondingsurfaces of the how 0 above and below its pivot, Fig. 4, and thus prevent the same from vibrating, while the arm f, the form of which may be seen from Figs. 2 and 4, engages the ring A with its surfaces f at each side of one of its pivots, as

shown indotted lines in Fig. 2, and prevents the same from moving on its pivots. As soon as the lever D of the switch is thrown over to break the circuit all the parts are arrested in the manner described.

I will now proceed to describe the manner in which the apparatus hereinbefore described is connected up to the electric conductors serving to discharge the gun and in which the contact devices act so as to close the circuit exactly at the proper moment- 'i. a, when one or both of the main axes of the vessel are in the horizontal plane. The mechanisms serving to effect this object are arranged below the pivots of the ring A and how 0 and are both substantially of the same construction, so that itwill suffice to describe the arrangement of one only. Figs. 7 and 8 show these mechanisms R and S in two positions. The block 0 or s is of non-conducting material and is attached to the inside of the casing below the spindle c of the pointer R, said block r 3 being bifurcated at its upper part at r r 8 the shanks of said bifurcation being slightly adjustable with regard to each other by means of a set-screw r .9 having conical end and projecting through the casing-wall. By adjusting the position of this screw it will be obvious that the distance apart of the upper ends of the shanks r 1" may be slightly varied. Hinged at their lower ends to the block W are two contactsprings 1", having their upper ends bent inward toward each other after the manner of calipers. These contact springs are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 7 by means of light springs arranged on the block r and bearing against projections of the said springs respectively. The lower part of the contact-springs r is bulged out to embrace (without, however, contacting with) the pivot c of the bow C. Extending upwardly between the top points of the springs r r is a vertical tongue 1", fixed on the pivot c and adapted to rock therewith when the bow O swings. This tongue will push the contactsprings in rocking and swing them on their pivots alternately, as shown at Fig. 8. If the apparatus is arranged in a circuit, conductors of which are attached at III IV, Fig. 2, and extend from here to the clamping-screws of the contact-springs r r, it will be obvious that such circuit will be closed at the moment when the tongue 1' is exactly at its vertical position and closes the circuit by contacting with both the springs rr. When the tongue r is at its vertical position, the amplitude of the angle of oscillation caused by the roll of the vessel is equal to 0.

Presuming the device R to be switched in the circuit of an electric current for discharging guns, so that, as shown in the diagram Fig. 10, the source of electricity Q and circuit-breaker R are connected up in series and the firing-pins of the respective guns, as also the switch belonging to each gun, parallelly, it will then be obvious that each discharge will take place after the switch z has been closed exactly at that moment in which the tongue 1' passes its position of rest with regard to the transverse axis of the ship, or, as above stated, when the amplitude of oscillation caused by the rolling of the vesselis equal to O. The apparatus S will if connected up in similar manner by means of the clamps V VI, Fig. 2, have the same effect upon guns having their longitudinal axis parallel or nearly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel as the apparatus R has upon broadside guns.

In the case of the heavier kinds of guns, such as turret-guns, it is often advisable to discharge the gun, according to its position at the time, either when the longitudinal or transverse axis of the vessel is in the horizontal plane or when both are simultaneously in this plane. In this case both apparatuses R and S must be switched in the dischargingcircnit, as shown in the diagram of Fig. 11. From this diagram it will be seen that a'single apparatus of the kind described is sufficient to work all the guns of a ship. In this diagram the group of guns 1 is supposed to consist, mainly, of broadside guns and is worked by the apparatus R alone, the group 2,consisting, mainly,of bow and stern chasers, is worked by the apparatus S alone, while the group 3, consisting, mainly, of turret-guns, may be worked by the apparatuses R and S in cooperation when the switches R and S of both apparatuses R and S are open or by one or other only of these apparatuses when one or other of the switches is closed. Having due regard to the slow-burning capacity of gunpowder, it may appear desirable to ignite the charge a fraction of a second before the vessel has attained a horizontal position, for

which purpose the conical adj usting-screw r 8 previously described, hasbeen arranged. By slightly withdrawing this screw the upper ends of the contact-springs r -r or s 3 may be advanced toward each other so that the point of the spring which may be at rest shall extend slightly over the vertical line w m, Fig. 8, or normal horizontal position of the tongue 1". Thus on the return of the said tongue the circuit will be closed slightly before the ship has reached its horizontal position. Since the distance which the point of the spring extends over the vertical line so 00 may be regulated within certain limits by means of the screw r 3 it will be evident that the apparatus may be adjusted with great accuracy to discharge a gun a certain desired-time before the ships axis attains its horizontal position.

Figs. 12 and 13 show merelya modified form of the fiy-wheel or gyratory mass V, which needs no further explanation, being clearly intelligible from the drawings.

In conclusion I will now recapitulate the manner of erecting and operating the apparatus.

The apparatus is erected on board with the pivots c 0 parallel torthe longitudinal axis of the ship, the clamps I and II are connected up to the current-generator clamps III, IV, V, and VI, in the manner shown in Figs. 10 and 11, with the discharging or ignition circuit. When the switch-lever D is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the gyroscope is in a position of rest and the swinging parts of the apparatus are arrested, as specified. On turning the switch-lever to allow a current to pass into the apparatus the dynamo will be set running at a high speed. This speed is of course dependent on the power of the current fed to the dynamo, but one thousand to fifteen hundred revolutions will be quite sufficient to insure the proper operation of the apparatus. The gyroscope may consist of the armature 13 together with the fly-wheel V or of the armature alone. The pointers R and Swill show the amplitude of angle of oscillation caused by rolling and pitching of the ship, and if any well-known registering apparatus is combined with these pointers the maximal and minimal roll or pitch maybe simultaneously registered. Thus the gyroscope V will retain its horizontal plane of rotation in spite of the movements of the vessel and contact can only be made when the latter is in either one or other, or both, of its horizontal (longitudinal or transverse) aXes-that is to say, the operation of the present device is not only dependent on gravity, as heretofore, but the action of gravity is, so to say, controlled by the property of the gyroscope.

I claim as my invention-'- 1. An apparatus for automatically discharging ships guns when one or both of the main axes of the ship are in a horizontal position, consisting of a gyroscope mounted so as to be free toretain its position irrespective of the movements of the ship, a contacting device in the igniting-circuit to the guns and means for utilizing the relative motion of the ship and gyroscope to operate the said contacting device so as to make contact when the vessel is in a horizontal position in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination of a gyroscope, mounted so as to be free to retain its position irrespective of the movement of the ship, a contacting device in the igniting-circuit to the guns, and means for utilizing the relative motion of the ship and gyroscope to operate the said contacting device when one of the main axes of the vessel is in a horizontal position substantially as described.

3. The combination of a gyroscope having a shaft 12 a dynamo to drive-said shaft, suspended in cardanic rings and having its armature b keyed to the gyroscope-shat t, a contacting device in the ignition-circuit to the guns and means for utilizing the relative motion of the ship and gyroscope to operate said contacting device substantially as described.

4. The combination of a gyroscope having a shaft 19 a dynamo to drive said shaft having pole-plates b b, a ring A to support said dynamo by means of diametrically opposite pivots a a, exterior diametrically opposite pivots a a to said ring arranged at right angles in the same plane to the pivots a a a casing to support said pivots a a which are fast on the said ring A a contacting device in the ignition-circuit to the guns and means for operating said contacting device to close the circuit at the moment specified, from the pivot a substantially as described.

5. The combination of a gyroscope, a dynamo to drive same, a ring A to support said dynamo as specified, pivots a a fast on said ring and a casing M M to support said pivots, abow 0 supported on pivots c c in said casing and having its line of suspension parallel to that of suspension of the dynamo a slot 0 in said ring and a pin at the lower part i of the dynamo to engage said slot in the manner and for the purpose substantially as. described.

6. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same, a ring A and means for supporting said dynamo in said ring as specified, pivots fast on said ring and a casing M M to support said ring-pivots, a bow O mounted as specified 'on pivots fast on the same, and a contacting device R and Soperated respectively by the said pivots c and a and suitable connections between said contacting devices and the igniting-circuit of the guns substantially as described.

7. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo mounted as specified and a stationary casing to contain same, a contacting device to admit current to the dynamo consisting of a spindle d penetrating the casing below the bow-pivot, a drum d on the interior end of said spindle having contacting surface, contact-springs d d an insulated block (1 to support same and means for turning the spindle d to break contact between the two said springs substantially as described.

8. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo suspended within suitable casing as specified, a spindle (1 having drum d, with contact-surface d contact-springs 61 (Z to touch ,said drum, and vmeans in connection with said spindle to arrest the motion of the suspended parts when the contact between the said springs is broken substantially as described.

9. The combination of' a gyroscope and a dynamo to operate same and means for suspending the parts as specified, a spindle (Zhaving contacting device d d d d, a lever f fast on said spindle to engage under the suspension-ring A having arm f with surfaces f to contact with the sides of the bow 0 above and below its pivot and arrest same substantially as described.

10. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same and means for suspending said gyroscope so that the same may be free to move irrespective of the movements of the ship a contact device connected with one of the pivots of said suspending mechanism and consisting of two contact-springs?" r bent inwardly at their upper ends and pivoted to a stationary support r at their lower ends, said springs being bulged out at about or below their middle to embrace the said pivot and a tongue on said pivot extending upwardly between said springs and adapted to operate the same in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

11. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same said parts being suspended in a stationary casing as specified and a contacting device in connection with said suspension mechanism and operated by one of the pivots thereof consisting of the pivoted contact-springs r r spring-pressed toward each other, a tongue 1" on the pivot of the bow 0 extending upwardly between said springs,

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said springs being adapted to bear at their lower parts against a bifurcated upward extension of the support-block, a conical boring through said bifurcated part and a screw having conical end to extend into said boring and adjustable from the outside of the casing substantially as described.

12. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo to drive same, means for suspending the parts in suitable casing as specified, a contacting device R operated by one of the pivots of the said suspension means, and means for connecting up the said contacting device and the source of electricity of the ignitingcircuit in series, and the firing-pins of the guns parallelly substantially as described.

13. The combination of a gyroscope and a dynamo a ring A to support same in suspension as specified pivots to said ring a contacting device S operated from one of said pivots, and means for connecting up the said contacting device together with the source of electricity of the igniting-circuit of the guns in the said circuit in series and the firing-pins of the several guns parallelly substantially as described.

14. In combination with a gyroscope and a battery and means for suspending the same as specified contacting devices R and S operated from the suspension means of the said parts and means for connecting up both apparatuses with the source of electricity in the circuit for discharging the guns in series and at both sides of the said source of electricity and means for connecting up the firing-circuits parallelly in the manner and for the purpose substantially 'as described and shown.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses;

LUDWIG OBRY.

' Witnesses:

FRANCESCO BUT'I'IRA, NICALO GIACOMELOFF.

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